WIDOW Marjorie La Rose, who was left for dead after being viciously beaten in her home by two care home thugs, has now been targeted by muggers.

The 81-year-old, who moved to Poynton from Marple for a more peaceful life, had her bags snatched as she walked home on Monday night.

Terrified Mrs La Rose, who is coming to terms with the recent death of her sister Lillian, is now suffering nightmares and sleepless nights.

For the horrific incident, which took place at 6pm on Chester Road, Poynton, brought back memories of the awful night she was beaten to a pulp as she lay in bed at her Marple home.

The youths attacked her with a brick and a wine bottle and scrawled "I'll be back" on her bedroom wall.

Mrs La Rose, who has suffered double vision since the beating in 1998, said: "I was walking past the post office when, all of a sudden, my handbag, containing about £30, and my bag of groceries were snatched. When I turned around I saw two boys run off. I screamed but there was nobody there.

"I have had terrible nightmares and it has brought back all the memories of the other attack. Why me? I feel like it's always me."

Mrs La Rose, who has three grandchildren and a great grandson, did not suffer any serious physical injuries in the incident. But the mental scars will remain forever.

Mrs La Rose, whose spectacles were damaged in the bag-snatch, added: "I am so angry. I am determined these scumbags won't ruin my life. I am 81-years-old and I should have a bit of peace in my life. I'm shaken but I am still going to go out."

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Macclesfield Police on 01625 610000.

* In April, 1999, a judge ordered Matthew Bramhall, 15, and Lee Rider, 14, to be detained for seven years and six and a half years respectively for the 1998 attack on Mrs La Rose. Both youths, who had been placed in a children's home in Marple just three days before the attack, pleaded guilty to causing her grievous bodily harm.